Printing apparatus.



G. 0. THOMAS.

PRINTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAB. s, 1911.

1,058,809, Patented Apr. 15, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SEEET l.

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fia/li rNVEN TOR VW NESSE I COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH C0.,WASH|NGTON, D. c.

'G. C. THOMAS.

PRINTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAE. 3, 1911.

Patented Apr. 15,1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

fie. 5.

INVENTOR COLUMBM PLANOGRAPH CO-IWASHINGTON. D. c.

G. C. THOMAS.

PRINTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. s, 1911.

Patented Apr. 15, 1913.

4 SHEETSr-SHEET 3.

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INVENTO R \IVITNESSESZ COLUMBIA PLANUGRAPH 50., WASHINGTON, D. C

G. G. THOMAS.

PRINTING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAB. 1911.

Patented Apr. 15, 1913.

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HVVENTOR WITNESSES;

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO.,WASH1NGTON. D. c.

GEORGE CHARLES THOMAS, 0F LISCARD, ENGLAND.

PRINTING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 15, 1913.

Original application filed September 3, 1910, Serial No. 580,360.Divided and this application filed March To all whom it may concern Beit known that I, GEORGE CHARLES THOMAS, a subject of the King ofEngland, residing at 2 Beach Bank avenue, Liscard, in the county ofChester, England, have invented new and useful Improvements in CameraPrinting Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invent-ion has reference to cameras or apparatus for printingpositive kinematograph films from negative films, and it has primarilyfor its object to provide an apparatus of this kind which is simple andinexpensive, and at the same time accurate and certain in action, and inwhich can be used the standard sized kinematograph film, and is easilyworked or used, and generally convenient and advantageous.

This application is a division of applicants prior application No.580,360 filed Sept. 3rd, 1910 which matured into Patent No. 1,010,591granted Oct. 8th, 1912.

The invention will be fully described in connection with the drawingshereto an neXed, which illustrate it.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus with theside 'door partly broken away, and negative holding spools in position;Fig. 2 is a side elevation with the negative spools removed showing theopposite side to that shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an end view of Fig. 2;and Fig. 4 is a plan. Fig. 5 is an outside side elevation, Fig. 6 an endelevation, Fig. 7 a sectional side elevation, Fig. 8 an elevation viewedfrom the back, of the film and shutter operating moving mechanism; andFig. 9 is an elevation of the mechanism viewed from the same side asFig. 8, but with the parts opened out; and Fig. 10 is a sectional planof the mechanism. Fig. 11 is a detail showing a light trapped aperturein the top and bottom of the apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings, A is the general case of the apparatus,which is in the form of a box camera; and B generally designates theframe which fits within, and is adapted to slide in and out of the caseA, and which carries the film moving mechanism and shutter.

C is t-helens at one end of the case; D is a hinged door at the back endof the camera; and E is a screen of known form and comprising a piece ofground glass or its equivalent carried in a frame for focusing pur-Serial No. 612,001.

poses. The whole of one side of the camera case is in the form of ahinged door F, and is shown in section in Fig. 3. This door givesgeneral access to the interior of the case.

The slide frame B, carrying the mechanism for moving the films, shown inFigs. 5 to 10, is capable of being placed in the camera by sliding it ina suitable grooved way Gr inside it, when the door F is opened down uponits hinges. The grooved way is illustrated in Fig. 1, and in section inFig. 4, wherein a part of the case is broken away for illustrating it.

In the operation of printing, the negative film O and a positive film Oare placed together, and run together through the mechanism as one filmthe negative being wound off a spool 72 disposed outside the case, andwound on to a spool 73 similarly disposed, while the positive film O iswound oii a spool 74 and on to a spool 75 disposed within the case; thatpart of the negative film within the case being disposed between thelight and the positive. The negative film is fed into the camera throughan aperture 60, which is provided with a light excluding means of anysuitable kind, marked 61 in the drawings; it is taken out through asimilar aperture, with a light excluding means in the bottom. And theseapertures are provided with shutters 62, which are closed over them whendesired. The negative film is wound on to the spool 73, as it emergesfrom the camera case, by gearing such as a pulley band 76 engaging withthe pulleys 77, 78 the latter of which is on the spindle of the spool75, which is driven from pulley 54 on the shaft of the winding handle50.

The film moving mechanism comprises two pairs of toothed sprocketwheels, a pair 1 being at the lower end, and the other pair 2 being atthe top; and their carrying spindles 3 and at respectively are gearedtogether through beveled toothed wheels 5, the vertical shaft 6, andbevel wheels 7 and the spindle 3 is rotated by hand actuated gear,hereinafter described. The sprocket wheels 1 and 2 are thus drivenpositively and continuously, and they are adapted to feed the negativefilm to the mechanism from the negative film spool outside the case, andthe positive film to the mechanism from the positive film spool in thepositive film box, which is situated inside the camera behind the frameB (say at the back of this chamber), and also to feed the positive filmback onto a lower or taking up spool in the positive film box, as thekinematographic photograph is being printed, and to feed the negativefilm on to the spool 7 3, also outside the case. Between the sprocketwheels 1 and 2, are a further pair of toothed or sprocket wheels orrollers 8, mounted on an axle 9, and intermittently operated at the sametime as the wheels 1 and 2, and which actually and positively effect themovement of the films intermittently past the exposure aperture 10 inthe frame B; while, as stated, the other pairs of wheels 1 and 2,respectively move the films positively to these intermittentintermediate rollers 8, and away from same, but continuously. The upperpair of rollers 2, as already stated, take the films from the filmspools, feeding them to the intermittently moving middle pair of wheels8; and the lower pair 1 take them from the intermittently moving pair ofwheels 8, and feed and deliver them to the taking up spools in side thefilm box.

The negative and positive films in Fig. 7 are designated 0 and 0respectively, and between the upper wheels 2 and the intermediate wheel8, a loop of slack film is arranged to exist, as shown; while betweenthe middle sprocket wheels 8, and the lower wheel 1, another loop offilm is arranged to exist, as shown. This enables the intermittent andrelatively quick action of the rollers or wheels 8, which actually movesthe films past the exposure aperture 10 to take place; while the sloweraction of the feeding in and paying out sprocket wheels 1 and 2 isconstant. Portions of the peripheries of the intermittently movingwheels 8 project a slight distance beyond the rear surface of I theframe plate B over which the films move; while the peripheries of thelower pair 1 project a greater distance rearwardly beyond this surface,so as to give a positive supply to the lower spool 7 5 of the film box;while the supply or upper pair of sprocket wheels or rollers '2 standclear of the rear surface and are at the back of the plate B, and overthe top of the rollers 2 the films pass, so as'to form a more reliablegrip to the films in pulling them off their upper spools, the grip beingrendered etlicient by the spring plate 18. During the operation, thecontinuously operating wheels 1 and 2, are revolved, from the spindle12which is actuated from outside through the handle 50; a small pinion13 upon the spindle 12; a toothed wheel 14 on the spindle 15 with which13 meshes; a pinion 16 on the spindle 15; a toothed wheel 17 on thespindle 18 with which the pinion 16 meshes; and a toothed wheel 19 onthe spindle 3, driven from the toothed wheel 17. By this gearing, thespeed of the film moving sprocket wheels is reduced. By this action theintermittently moving sprocket Wheels 8 are, through gear wheels 17 and19, also moved by a pin 20 on the disk wheel 21, fixed on the spindle12; the pin operating in connection with a Geneva stop star wheel 22,which is fixed on the spindle 9 of the sprocket wheels 8. Hence, in eachrevolution of the shaft 12 and wheel 21, the wheel 22 will be drivenone-quarter of a revolution, there being four gaps in it; while duringthe moments of projection, it will be held stationary by means of theperiphery of the wheel 21, in the well known way of a Geneva stopmechanism.

The gearing just described drives, in addition to the fihn movingrollers, the revolving shutter 24. This is effected through the toothedwheel 1 1, which meshes with a crown wheel 25, fixed on the spindle 26carrying the shutter 24- on its forward end. By this means, the shutter,which is of duplex kind, that is, comprises two similar portions movableand adjustable relatively to each other, will be operated, 2'. e.revolved, over the aperture in the end of the casing, over which thelens C is fitted. The adjustment of the two similar portions of theshutter 24 is effected by releasing the nut on the forward end of thespindle 26, and disengaging a pin on one portion from one aperture, and

en a in the in with another a erture, of

D C! h r a plurality of apertures in the other portion and retighteningthe nut. See Figs. 5 and 6.

To operate the mechanism at the required rate, for projecting thephotographs on the film, on to a screen or otherwise, as inkinematographic exhibition, the movement is effected by turning thespindle 18, on which the sprocket wheel 1 is fixed, by the turningkeywhich is adapted to receive it, as shown in Figs. 4, 6, 8 and 10.

In connection with the rollers or sprocket wheels 1 and 8, there areemployed gates 28 and 29, respectively, having a pair of grooved rollers30 and 31 in connection wheels in the required way, and at the same timeallow of any extra thickness of film to pass through. The gates 28 and29 are hinged at one side at 32, so that they can be :opened when it isdesired to thread films into position, on the wheels 1 and 8; and

after placing the films in position, with the loop of slack between suchgates and between the Wheels 1 and 8, the gates are closed and fastened,and held in position, by means of the hinged clip fasteners 33.

Above the intermediate feed rollers or sprocket wheels 8, the exposureaperture 10 in the frame plate B is provided; and in connection with andover this aperture, there is a gate 34, having a short tubular or boxaperture 35, which extends from the back of the gate, practically to theface of the aperture 10; and this tubular or box aperture is movable upand down in the gate 34 (which has an opening in it to admit of themovement of this box 35), the movement being effected by a milled disk36, and spindle of which is carried in the gate 34, and has on its innerend a toothed pinion 37, meshing with a rack 38 on the front plate ofthe box aperture 35, which slides up and down on the outside of the gate34. By this means, the opening or aperture through which light willstrike the films may be adjusted vertically as required. There is alsoused in connect-ion with this box aperture 35, a slide 39, held, andadapted to move in guides 40, by which this aperture may be opened orclosed, as and when desired. There is also used in connection with themain frame plate B, a sliding or adjustable shutter 42 in the aperture10, as shownin Figs. 6 and 7. This shutter 42 has a part which isreceived in a recessed portion of the plate B, and is formed with slotsfor the passage of screws on which the shutter is adapted to be moved,and by which it is held in any desired position. The shutter 42 can beadjusted relatively to the movable aperture 35.

The gate 34 carrying the adjustable aperture has a saddle or how-spring43 011 each side, bearing on the face of the plate B, when the gate isclosed, and secured at its upper end to the gate; and it-the gate alsocarries on spring arms 44, a roller 45, which presses the films O and Oon the surface of the plate B. The springs 43 bear upon the sides of thefilms, and keep them firm and flat with an even pressure on the mainframe plate B, over the aperture 10, over which they slide; while theroller 45 keeps the films steady on the plate as they move toward theaperture; while the springs 44 holding this roller 45 permit it to moveaway from the plate B, and go back again, as and when extra thicknessesof film pass through, and thus preserve evenness and steadiness ofpicture. The gate 34 is held in the closed position by a hinged catch46, which is similar to the catches 33; and all these gates are therebyheld in their active or closed position by these catches in a mannerthat will give the required firmness of position in relation to thefilm.

The upper feeding-in toothed sprocket Wheels 2 are placed entirely onthe front side of the plate B; and they have over them a guide 48 forthe film, consisting of a curved thin sheet metal plate, between whichand the teeth of the wheels 2 the film passes from the film box; theteeth of these wheels projecting through spaces between the differentmembers of the guide plate 48 when at their upper position, as shown inFigs. 7 and 8. By means of this guide the films are held in contact withthe sprocket wheels. Immediately below the sprocket wheels 2, there isanother guide 49, also carried from the plate B, which holds .the filmsto the wheels 2 and directs the films outward, and helps to form theupper loops of film between these sprocket wheels and the aperture 10over which the films slide. The other sets of toothed or sprocket wheels1 and 8 are on the opposite side of the plate B to the wheels 2, and arecarried from it and project through apertures in it.

The Geneva stop mechanism for operating the intermittent film movingrollers 8 causes the films to be alternately held stationary over theaperture 10, and to be suddenly and quickly moved the required amountover this aperture, during which time the shutter will be disposedbetween the light aperture and the lens; while when the film isstationary, it will not intercept the rays of light from the lens to thefilm.

Vith regard to the actuating of the film moving mechanism, the spindles12 and 18 can be engaged and geared up with the operating handle orhandle key 50 shown in Fig. 4, by apertures 51 provided on the side ofthe case A, in connection with which the hinged closing shutters 52operate; so that when the one aperture is opened for engaging one of theshafts or spindles by the crank key 50, the other can be closed; andvice versa. And when no handle is used, both can be closed, so as tomake the camera light-tight. The tubular part 53 of the crank key 50 ismade to fit tightly in the apertures or holes 51, so as to assist inpreventing light passing into the camera in this way. Further, inconnection with the crank key 50, there is a grooved pulley 54; and inconnection with the winding-on roller of the films in the film boxplaced at the back of the inside of the camera, or on the outside of it,there is a pulley 55, adapted to be fitted onto the axle of this roller,and which projects on the outside of the camera; and between thesepulleys 54 and 55, there is an indiarubber or flexible cord, or a chainor the like 56, by means of which, as the films are fed through themoving mechanism and discharged from the roller 1', they will bepositively wound up onto the take-on roller. Over the aperture throughwhich the pulley 55 enters the side of the apparatus, there is provideda closing shutter 57 similar to the shutters 52, for

closing up this'aperture when the wheel 55 is removed.

Access is had to the whole of the interior of the apparatus, namely, thebox or case A, and all the movable parts used inside it may be insertedor withdrawn, through the one side, by means of the hinged door F, whichhas its hinges preferably at the bottom, and is secured by catches 64:,at the top.

The lens portion C is mounted on a movable carrier 65, which has abellows portion 66 between it and the end of the body A; and theseportions are moved in or out, as may be required, by means of a rack 67operated by the turning but-ton 68 in the known way.

The apparatus can. be easily carried by the handle 70; and has at theback end, a

- ter; and gearing means connecting the winding spindle with thedeveloped and undoor D at its lower part, which can be tolded down, andopened and closed alternately, as desired, thus allowing access to theinterior of the box or case.

What is claimed is 1. A kinematograph printing apparatus, comprising aclosed box having an exposure aperture and light tight apertures for thepassage or a developed film; a light tight chamber within the box for anundeveloped film; spindles within the chamber for car rying theundeveloped film; spindle outside the box for carrying the developedfilm; means within the box for moving together the films, comprisingintermittently operated sprocket wheels, and continuously operatedsprocket wheels which engage with the films before and after they areengaged with the intermittently operated sprocket wheels, gearing fordriving the continuously operated sprocket wheels at the same speed,movable gates which permit the placing of the films in position, andmeans for regulating the size of the exposure aperture; and meansoutside the box engaging with the said spindles and moving means formoving together both films and unwinding and winding them on theirrespective spindles.

2. A kinematograph printing apparatus, comprising a closed camera boxfitted with a door, and having a light tight chamber, and light tightapertures for the passage of the films, and an exposure aperture; meansfor closing the light tight apertures; remova-ble supports outside thebox for carrying a developed film; supports inside the light name tothis specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

tight chamber for carrying an undeveloped film; removable means insidethe camera box for intermittently moving the films together over theexposure aperture; operating means outside the camera box and con nectedwith the removable means for moving the films; and connecting meansengaging with the removable means, and the said supports for thedeveloped and undeveloped films, for driving all from the one operatingmeans.

3. A kinematograph printing apparatus comprising a closed camera boxfitted with a door, and having a light tight chamber, and light tightapertures for the passage of the films, and an exposure aperture;slidable means for closing the light tight apertures; removable spindlesoutside the camera box for carrying a developed film;removable spindlesinside the chamber for carrying an undeveloped film; removable filmmoving mechanism inside the box; a winding means outside the box havinga spindle which is detachably connected with the film moving mechanismfor operating the latdeveloped film carrying spindles.

at. A kinematograph printing apparatus,

1 com-prising a camera box, having a grooved way, apertures in one ofthe side walls and light tight apertures in the upper and lower -wallsfor the passage of films, and fitted with a movable side door, a lensand means for focusing the same; slidable means for closing the lighttight apertures; means for closing the apertures in the side wall; re- 3movably mounted spindles on the outside of the box; removably mountedspindles in-' side the box one of such spindles projecting through oneof the apertures in the side wall and having a pulley thereon; aremovable film moving mechanism comprising a ,board fitted in thegrooved way of the box, land carrying thereon continuously operatedsprocket wheels, intermittently operated sprocket wheels disposedbetween the continuously operated sprocket wheels, gearing j connectingthe continuously operated wheels, hinged gates for holding the films inposi- -tion, an adjustable apertured exposure part, a rotatable exposureshutter, a slidable shutvter for rendering a part of the box lighttight, and gearing connecting the exposure shutter and the sprocketwheels together; a .winding handle having a spindle which ex- Itendsthrough one of theapertures in the side wall and having a pulleythereon; and ibands for connecting the pulley on the driving spindlewith the pulleys of the developed .and undeveloped film spindles.

In testimony whereof I have signed my GEORGE CHARLES THOMAS.

Witnesses:

SOMERVILLE GoonALL, YVILLIAM F. PARRY.

copies'of this patent may be obtainedfor five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, 1). C.

